Motoring News June 2010

Since I retired I have become more interested in the latest motoring news, particularly new technical innovations, safety and green issues, ways to save money and general items of a humorous nature! (I must have too much time on my hands......)

Some news press releases this month:

Safer cars from Subaru

Greener Technology from Skoda

Diesel Car Accolade for Peugeot

Subaru Legacy is named Japan`s safest car

The 2010 Subaru Legacy has been officially named ‘Japan’s safest car’, after being awarded the Grand Prix 09/10 in Japan’s New Car Assessment Programme (JNCAP).

This is the third consecutive year in which a Subaru vehicle has taken the jury’s top honours.   Following in the footsteps of the Impreza in 2007 and the Forester in 2008, the Subaru Legacy was the only vehicle out of the 17 tested to receive the coveted award. The Legacy was rated as the safest passenger car in the collision safety performance tests for driver and front passenger.  It also achieved the highest rating in the pedestrian head protection test.

This latest accolade for Legacy comes hot on the heels of myriad other international crash test achievements. It received the top five-star rating in the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), was awarded five stars for occupant safety in the latest Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP), and was named ‘2010 Top Safety Pick’ by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US.

Subaru UK Marketing Director, Kenyon Neads, commented: “It’s clear from the number of top scores awarded to the Legacy in crash tests right around the world that it is one of the safest cars on sale today.  When you combine these impressive safety scores with our trademark permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, world renowned boxer engines and the Legacy’s superb interior space and practicality, the result is a unique and highly desirable family car proposition.”

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Škoda unveils Fabia Combi GreenLine II and Roomster GreenLine II

New technology further reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels and
iInnovations include a new engine with common rail, stop-start, energy recuperation and gear recommendation technology.

The new model Fabia and Roomster’s have been facelifted and fitted with new technology designed to further reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels. The most important innovations include a new engine (1.2 TDI CR DPF/75bhp DPF) with Common Rail (high-pressure direct injection), start-stop technology, energy recuperation and gear recommendation (on a Maxi DOT display).

One of the biggest technological changes in the second-generation GreenLine version is a new three-cylinder supercharged engine (1.2 TDI CR DPF/55 kW) with a consumption of just 83.1 mpg and CO2 emissions of 89 g/km for the Fabia Estate GreenLine II, and 67.3 and 109 g/km for the Roomster GreenLine II.

In addition to lower CO2 emissions, other contaminant levels have also been reduced. The new engine complies with the EU 5 emission standard that, for diesel engines, has stricter regulations for nitrogen oxides and solid particles. The gear ratios of the car's five-speed transmission are identical to those of the ordinary Fabia and Roomster models fitted with the same engine. As a result, the GreenLine II offers the same responsiveness yet with lower consumption.

The key benefits of the stop-start system stand out in busy city traffic. The system operates automatically, directly after the engine starts. If, after some time, the driver stops the vehicle, engages neutral and releases the clutch pedal, the engine switches off automatically. As soon as the driver presses the clutch, the engine starts again immediately. stop-start makes it is possible to save up to 4.2mpg (combined) or up to 7.7 mpg in city traffic.

Energy recuperation is another state-of-the-art technology introduced on the new Fabia Estate i GreenLine II and Roomster GreenLine II. Effective utilisation of the vehicle's kinetic energy for battery recharging is a simple system that helps to save fuel continuously. The two systems – Start-Stop and Braking energy recovery work in partnership and, along with other measures, help to make the operation of these new models as environmentally-friendly as possible. The application of the energy recovery system has helped to reduce the CO2 emissions by 2 - 4 g/km.

Other technologies Škoda is introducing on the Greenline II models to improve economy are the gear recommendation system, which helps the driver make optimum use of the engine's potential, a lowered and aerodynamically-covered chassis and, last but not least, low rolling resistance tyres.

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Peugeot 5008 scoops top honours in Diesel Car Magazine


Peugeot has won yet another accolade to add to its impressive awards list, winning the prestigious overall award for Car of the Year in the Diesel Car Magazine awards 2010.
Not content with winning Best MPV and Car of the Year for 2010, Peugeot also grabbed titles in two of the newest categories - Best Crossover with the 3008, and stormed the Sports Car class with the stylish new RCZ Sports Coupé.
More than 275 new cars have been put through their paces by Diesel Car’s expert testers to choose the winners in ten categories, introducing three new categories – Best Crossover, Best Sports Car and Best Eco Car which recognises the best in the hybrid world of motoring. This year’s awards are sponsored by Evolution Chips, one of the leaders in diesel tuning in the UK.
In revealing this year’s winners, Ian Robertson, Editor of Diesel Car magazine said: “We have seen a lot of talented contenders this year, despite the turmoil the motor industry has faced. I am really pleased to announce Peugeot taking the top spot with the spectacular 5008 winning Diesel Car - Car of the Year 2010. It truly is the right car for the right times, with competitive pricing, generous equipment levels and a good all-round driving experience, wrapped up in a package that seats seven; what more could a family buyer want from a car!”

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If you have any interesting news to share with us then please send to Barry at motoring@laterlife.com and we will publish what we can.

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